(3) PS Illustrated by Frank W. Dormer. Preschoolers will enjoy the brief rhyming text (every sentence is two or three words) and cartoony ink and digital illustrations, which follow an octopus escaping its tank and wreaking havoc on other aquarium exhibits as it's pursued by the night guard. The story subtly showcases octopus traits such as squirting ink, and back matter provides more octopus information, including stories of their escapes from captivity.

Reviewer: Janet Dawson

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Carlyn Beccia. Lachenmeyer takes an anecdote about the inspiration for eighteenth-century Italian composer Domenico Scarlatti's "The Cat's Fugue" and runs with it, imagining self-satisfied kitty Pulcinella as a brilliant composer in her own right--who's just waiting for her chance to play Scarlatti's off-limits harpsichord. The illustrations, which humorously show composer and cat with matching pompadours, are unevenly executed.

Reviewer: Katie Bircher

(4) K-3 Illustrated by Nicoletta Ceccoli. Like houses, books can be haunted. A round-headed boy, shadowed by a nonthreatening wispy ghost, offers advice on handling book ghosts who meddle with stories, scramble the words, and suck readers into the pages if precautions aren't followed. Digitally manipulated Plasticine models in atmospheric acrylics and a pop-up surprise at the end are the highlights of this plot-thin book.

Reviewer: Rebecca Reed Whidden

(3) K-3 Illustrated by Aki Sogabe. A solitary origami master learns an important lesson about friendship when he tries to capture a gifted origami-making bird. The quiet and understated story line is accompanied by evocative cut-paper and watercolor illustrations. Instructions for how to fold an origami bird are included at the end.

Reviewer: Marika Jeffrey